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Alternative Health News
Tone, Tensegrity and Chiropractic
D.D. Palmer, wrote extensively about the concept of tone. According to Palmer: "Life is the expression of tone. In that sentence is the basic principle of Chiropractic. Tone is the normal degree of nerve tension.
Insights With Norm Shealy
Norm Shealy is known for being one of the world's leading experts in pain management. He was among the first physicians ever to specialize in the resolution of chronic pain.
Your Experiences Empower Us
In March 2012, it was reported that the revenues of the chiropractic management network American Specialty Health (ASHN), grew by 17.8 percent, from $155.7 million in 2010 to $183.4 million in 2011.
The Nine Best Health Steps To Take
Remember the last time you had to do something complicated, like assemble a piece of furniture, or get your PC to stop freezing up?
Diet and Supplement Tips for Patients With Soft-Tissue Injuries
The average chiropractor with a typical injury-based practice who does not practice nutrition, sell supplements* or consider nutrition a strong point will often say little to their patients regarding nutrition.
Conservative Management of Hamstring Strains, Part 1
Of all the gait-related muscle injuries, hamstring strains have the highest rate of recurrence, with as many as one-third of injured athletes suffering reinjury within the first few weeks following return to sport.
First Chiropractic Residency Program at VA Hospital
New York Chiropractic College (NYCC) recently announced it has partnered with the Canandaigua VA Medical Center in Canandaigua, N.Y., to create an integrated care chiropractic residency program.
We Get Letters & E-Mail
In a United Effort, We Need a United Message; Research Is Confirming Much of What We Were Taught; Philosophy Supports Evidence-Based Principles and Practices.
Study: Electroacupuncture Helps With Depression
A recent research study out of Hong Kong shows electroacupuncture stimulation can quickly reduce the severity of depressive symptoms to help patients dealing with depression recover faster using alternative methods.
A Cancellation Policy Can Help Build a Successful Acupuncture Practice
Acupuncturists and TCM practitioners must exhibit professional conduct parallel to lawyers, doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals.
Subclassification of Radicular Pain Using Neurophysiology and Embryology
The following article originally appeared in the Proceedings of the 7th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain in 2010; it is reprinted with permission from the authors and the congress.
The Challenge of Caring for Elderly Patients
With every passing day, one thing is for certain - we're all getting older. Some of us are closer to the far end of life than others, but the time will come when each of us will be elderly. At that time we will hope that those who care for us will be alert to the special dangers and the unique challenges of treating those in the elderly age group.
Audits: Protect Against and Profit From Them
Audits are a big concern these days for all health care providers, especially chiropractors. The "business" of auditing is booming, as it is consistently providing a great return on investment for the entities that are sponsoring the audits.
Trudy McAlister Foundation Announces Scholarship Awards
The Trudy McAlister Foundation announced the recipients of the 2012 national AOM scholarship awards in April.
Robert Downey Jr. Honored for TCM Advocacy
In the last two decades, movie star Robert Downey Jr. has achieved good health and he credits it all to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The Underestimated Value of Bitter Herbs
Many cultures still recognize the value of bitter herbs in promoting digestive function and general health. Bitter drinks taken before meals are still called aperitifs, due reference to their value in aiding digestion.
Improved Type 2 Diabetes Management With Creatine Supplementation
Studies conducted over the past two decades have shown that supplementation with creatine increases strength, explosive power, speed, endurance and lean mass gains in athletes of all ages.
Unprecedented Television Exposure for Chiropractic
If the chiropractic profession ever wanted an endorsement of the "treat the cause, not the symptoms" approach to health and wellness, it certainly got one – from the medical community, no less, and soon to be heard / seen by millions of consumers.
My Shotgun for the Sinus
Spring is here, and allergies, sinus congestion, and runny noses will soon be a big problem. I live in the northeast part of the country, sinus problems are a big issue. Folks that grew up here refer to their "normal" sinus problems.
Seven Steps to Establishing a Successful Hospital Based Practice
The hospital based practice of acupuncture and integrative medicine not only offers unique insights and challenges; it also requires several ingredients either de-emphasized or wholly absent from private practice.
Chiropractic Before Spine Surgery for Chronic LBP
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Health Plan, a health maintenance organization affiliated with the university's School of Medicine, has adopted landmark guidelines for the management of chronic low back pain.
Remembering Dr. Reggie Gold
Reginald Gold, DC, PhC, 1957 class president and valedictorian of Palmer College of Chiropractic, devout advocate of chiropractic principles and philosophy, and author of The Triune of Life, passed away on March 24, 2012 following a lengthy illness.
Demonstrating a Better Quality of Life With Chiropractic
As a lifetime chiropractic patient, I have lived almost 57 years with the knowledge that everything I do in life is enhanced by the chiropractic care I receive on a regular basis. Every bodily function is at its optimal effectiveness.
Making Private Practice Work: Part III
In my last article, I used the analogy that acupuncture works like adding more minutes to a sprinkler system to help turn a brown lawn back to green.
Chiropractor Serving as Director of Human Resources and Safety
For this issue, I interviewed Dr. Randy Wheeler of Wichita, Kan., who serves as the full-time HR / safety / training director for a medium-sized, for-profit industry in his community.
Fascial Thickening Is Responsible for Musculoskeletal Pain
An important study in the fascial world by Langevin (2009) proposed that people with chronic and recurrent low back pain had 25 percent greater fascial thickness than a low back pain-free group.
The Eleventh Question: "How you doin'?"
During the Oriental Medical evaluation 10 questions are typically asked. Although the questions vary somewhat, they typically refer to diet, elimination, emotions, temperature sensations and preferences.
The Spirits of the Points: The Liver Meridian: Part II
In Part 1 of this series, I explained the function of the Liver as the official of planning. Not only does the official plan for the functioning of the myriad systems of the body, but also for the mind and spirit.

Local Guides
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Pearl (zhen zhu/zhen zu mu)

What is pearl? What is it used for?

While pearl is not an herb, it is nevertheless a vital component of traditional Chinese medicine. A pearl is actually a precious gemstone, the result of a combination of minerals that forms around a grain of sand or other foreign matter in the shells of oysters and other mollusks. Although the bulk of a pearl is made of a substance called calcium carbonate, it also contains dozens of amino acids and minerals, including magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, selenium and silicon.

In traditional Chinese medicine, pearl can be administered internally or externally. Internally, pearl is used as part of a tonic to calm the spirit and clear phlegm from the body; other uses include improving one’s eyesight and invigorating circulation. Pearl powder that has been hydrolyzed, or water-soluble, has been shown to lower blood pressure, increase endurance and relieve some of the symptoms of constipation. Externally, pearl is used as a powder to help heal blemishes and other skin problems, and to help the skin from becoming wrinkled and old-looking.

How much pearl should I take?

The amount of pearl or pearl powder to be used depends on the condition being treated. Externally, it is used as part of a cream. Make sure that the pearl cream you use contains hydrolyzed, dissolvable pearl, which absorbs into the skin easily. If you are taking hydrolyzed pearl powder, 500 mg to one gram per day is the recommended dose.

What forms of pearl are available?

Pearl is most often available as a powder or cream. Pearl powder is available at some health food stores and specialty markets, while pearl creams can be found along with some cosmetics and other skin care products.

What can happen if I take too much pearl? Are there any interactions I should be aware of? What precautions should I take?

There are no known drug interactions or adverse side-effects associated with pearl. Several studies have shown that hydrolyzed pearl powder is harmless, and can be taken by anyone without experiencing negative side-effects. As always, however, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking pearl, pearl powder, or any other dietary supplement or herbal remedy.

References

  • Editorial Committee of Chinese Materia Medica. State Drug Administration of China. Chinese Materia Medica. Shanghai: Science and Techonology Press; 1998.
  • Lu, G.H., et al. Comparative study on anti-hypertensive effect of zhen zhu mu in patients with essential hypertension. Guizhou Medical Journal. Chinese. 1996; 20:1.
  • Teeguarden R. Radiant Health: The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs. New York: Warner Books, 1998, pp. 175-178.
  • Zhou S, et al. Pharmacological study on the safety and effectiveness of pearl powder. Zhong Cao Yao 1990; 21(7):313. In Chinese.
  • Zhou YN, et al. Effects of a zhen zhu mu in healthy individuals suffering from moderate anxiety disturbances. Journal of Guiyang Medical College 1993;8(4):261.
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